Producing a transparent optical element comprising a substance contained in cells

Abstract

The invention concerns a method for producing a transparent optical element ( 1 ) including filling cells ( 10 ) of the element with a substance having an optical property. It consists in moving an amount of the substance ( 20 ) radially on the cells, towards a peripheral edge of the optical element, such that the substance penetrates each cell. Optionally, the cells may be sealed with a film ( 30 ) fixed on the partition walls ( 11 ) of the cells. The filling and the sealing of the cells may be carried out in a single step of the process.

1. A method of producing a transparent optical element, which comprises the following steps:
 a) producing an optical component having at least one set of empty cells which are juxtaposed, parallel with a surface of the component, said cells being open at the level of said surface and separated by walls; 
 b) depositing a quantity of a liquid substance having an optical property over a part of the set of cells, said quantity corresponding to a volume greater than the total capacity of the cells; and 
 c) pushing a portion of the substance which is situated outside of the cells over the walls and the cells, so that the substance penetrates into the cells not yet filled and so as to expel an excess of substance, by sweeping the whole set of cells, the method being characterized in that, in step c), the portion of substance which is situated outside of the cells is pushed radially from a central zone of the set of cells towards a peripheral edge of said set, according to a substantially circular moving front. 
 
     
     
       2. The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the quantity of substance which is deposited in step b) corresponds to a volume of between 101% and 200% of the total capacity of the cells. 
     
     
       3. The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the substance having an optical property is adapted so that an angle of contact between said substance and the optical component is less than 90°. 
     
     
       4. The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the portion of substance situated outside of the cells is pushed by a deformable membrane applied progressively over the set of cells. 
     
     
       5. The method as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the membrane is applied over the set of cells by creating a reduced pressure between the optical component and said membrane. 
     
     
       6. The method as claimed in  claim 1 , furthermore comprising a sealing of the cells filled with substance by means of a substantially transparent film applied over the set of cells and fixed to the walls of said cells. 
     
     
       7. The method as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the film is fixed to the walls of the cells in a permanent manner. 
     
     
       8. The method as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein a surface of the film coming into contact with the walls of the cells during the application of said film comprises an adhesive material, a hot-melt material or a polymer making it possible to fix said film on said walls. 
     
     
       9. The method as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein a surface of the film coming into contact with the walls of the cells during the application of said film is activated by heat or by irradiation in order to adhere to said walls. 
     
     
       10. The method as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the sealing of the filled cells is carried out by applying the film progressively over the set of cells during step c), said film pushing the portion of substance having an optical property situated outside of the cells during the application. 
     
     
       11. The method as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the film is applied over the set of cells starting from a central zone of the set of calls, towards a peripheral edge of said set, according to a substantially circular application front. 
     
     
       12. The method as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the film is applied onto the cells by creating a reduced pressure between the optical component and said film. 
     
     
       13. The method as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the film is pre-formed before being applied onto the set of cells. 
     
     
       14. The method as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the film is pre-formed by holding an edge of said film and by applying a pressure difference on either side of said film. 
     
     
       15. The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the optical element comprises a lens. 
     
     
       16. The method as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the optical element comprises an ophthalmic lens. 
     
     
       17. A transparent optical element produced by using a method as claimed in  claim 1 . 
     
     
       18. The element as claimed in  claim 17 , further comprising forming an optical lens. 
     
     
       19. The element as claimed in  claim 18 , further comprising forming an ophthalmic lens.